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Are there any sources that go in depth in explaining how and when to apply kuzushi? I can find definitions and short explanations about lines perpendicular to the feet. I can find that you can create it by ma-ai, strikes, breaking the rhythm of the attacker and a couple other methods. If anyone knows a good aikido book or video on this please let me know.

IMHO, kuzushi as in balance breaking is important. The lines are an equilateral triangle using the the feet and a triangulation point in front or behind. Also, a sins distances in almost any direction over extends the attack and facilitates a loss of balance.

If you bend forward and rise on your toes, the place where you want to put your hand will be your front kuzushi point. If you bend backward, the place where you want to put your foot will be your rear kuzushi point.

In waza, if you fill this point so the uke depends on you for balance and then empty it, they fall. Its also a place to aim the wrist, elbow, or shoulder of the uke when executing waza.

Hope that helps in some small way.

IMHO, Aikido is all about blending and balance.

Lynn Seiser PhD
Yondan Aikido & FMA/JKD
We do not rise to the level of our expectations, but fall to the level of our training. Train well. KWATZ!

For me kuzushi is paramount to executing any Aikido technique. It's a combination of musubi, ma ai (which changes throughout the technique), timing and movement (which may/ may not include atemi).

I've never looked at it from the perpendicular line angle, although I guess that's a good way of explaining it. Lynn hit the nail firmly on the head though. You move, and move uke, to make yourself uke's point of support, thus uke is totally reliant on you to stay upright. Once you have that reliance, you move out of that point creating a little void for uke to fall into. There isn't a definitive point to move to, you just keep moving until uke is compromised, if you stop, uke can (although may not) recover. Kuzushi requires sensitivity and takes a lot of practice, it's something you have to learn to do with your whole body, and it's especially something you have to learn to feel with your whole body.

I don't know of any books that specifically deal with kuzushi, but probably the best exponent of kuzushi that I have ever seen, is Yamaguchi Sensei. I have had the pleasure to train with two of his students, both are excellent at applying kuzushi. One is Endo Sensei, the other is Nakao Sensei.

Keep practicing, good luck.

rgds

Bryan

A difficult problem is easily solved by asking yourself the question, "Just how would the Lone Ranger handle this?"

IMHO, kuzushi as in balance breaking is important. The lines are an equilateral triangle using the the feet and a triangulation point in front or behind. Also, a sins distances in almost any direction over extends the attack and facilitates a loss of balance.

If you bend forward and rise on your toes, the place where you want to put your hand will be your front kuzushi point. If you bend backward, the place where you want to put your foot will be your rear kuzushi point.

In waza, if you fill this point so the uke depends on you for balance and then empty it, they fall. Its also a place to aim the wrist, elbow, or shoulder of the uke when executing waza.

Hope that helps in some small way.

IMHO, Aikido is all about blending and balance.

Excellent Lynn.

I'd add to this that if Tori positions his centre over these front and rear points as he executes his technique he can achieve perfect maai (distance), he has no need to bend so can have perfect shisei (posture) and if he angles his body correctly ...perfect kamae - relationship with uke.

Utilising these points maximises Toris effectiveness and takes Uke to his point of greatest weakness.

When you see or experience seemingly effortless thows I believe it is because Tori has blended exactly to this position.

This is why the smallest person can throw the largest as long as they find the right position.

If I recall correctly Jun, you once explained that kuzushi means more than unbalancing, but refers to destroying the foundations, or undermining, (or something along those lines).

This takes the whole concept of kuzushi a step further, I think, in that it is no longer about only unbalancing, but making it impossible for uke to regain that balance as there is no longer a structure or foundation to depend upon.

I find this a fascinating concept to work on when training, and it becomes the core purpose of movement. A 'technique' is then simply a means to achieve that, rather than a goal in its own right.

If I recall correctly Jun, you once explained that kuzushi means more than unbalancing, but refers to destroying the foundations, or undermining, (or something along those lines).

Yup. For me, kuzushi entails the undermining of a structure's foundation to undermine its stability. The term "unbalancing" doesn't capture this essence of kuzushi to me.

I've felt people who can, from a katatedori, affect my knees (making them feel as they just melted) or manipulate my movement in such a way as to "sweep" my feet from under me (without touching them). I certainly can't do such yet, but it's been interesting to try...

Had an interesting comment from one of my Shihans many years ago when one of my students asked him about the importance of Tsukuri, Kake, and Kime in Aikido. The Shihan said "It is very important because in Aikido, it does not exist. You should study it well." (My translation)
Fortunately, the student understood and walked away satisfied. Another, lower ranked student went "Huh? Uh, Sensie, I don't understand? Did he say it was important because it doesn't exist? And that we should study it because it doesn't exist?"
The Shihan upon hearing this said "Ki no nagare. We strive for Katsu Haya Hi." (My translation)
I think the second student understood.

Certainly not of any great importance like some of the links above, I once wrote this on Kuzushi. Though not totally on kuzushi, it does have some points I feel are important to consider whenever we are addressing the topic. If you got some time, check it out: